The 2012 Vikings roster thread (Small News, Discussion of players on the team(2)

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the more quality o-lineman we have the better our team is going to be...say a guy like Schwarz wins the battle in camp, we know that Fusco and maybe even berger can play at a starter's level if somebody is to go down

Another great thing we have going for us along the o-line is that not only do we have a starting quality lineman on the bench whether it's Schwarz or Fusco, but Schwarz can play tackle as well....So if Loadholt continues his inconsistency we can start Fusco at guard and shift Geoff to RT

adding Kalil was huge because Christian and our run game needed that dominant force in the trenches...Ponder doesn't have to have that thought in the back of his head that he's going to die every snap, and his run block and pull ability is going to make AD look even better...i'd say o-line went from one of our weakest link to one of our strongest this offseason

We have a good chunk of change to play around with. While it is possible we could make some pickups after final cuts, I think its a lot more likely we're sitting on that money because we're going to be offering extensions to guys like Simpson, Henderson, Carr or Schwartz depending on how well they play.

WE TRUST V4LB!!! HE IS THE GREATEST GUY IN OUR FOURM.
WITHOUT HIM OUR FOURM WOULDNT BE EXCITING.
HE GETS ALL THE WOMEN!!!!
HE IS NEVER WRONG!!!
WE TRIED TO VOTE FOR HIM FOR PRESIDENT BUT HE IS SO GREAT THAT HE WOULDNT RUN FOR OFFICE

the more quality o-lineman we have the better our team is going to be...say a guy like Schwarz wins the battle in camp, we know that Fusco and maybe even berger can play at a starter's level if somebody is to go down

Another great thing we have going for us along the o-line is that not only do we have a starting quality lineman on the bench whether it's Schwarz or Fusco, but Schwarz can play tackle as well....So if Loadholt continues his inconsistency we can start Fusco at guard and shift Geoff to RT

adding Kalil was huge because Christian and our run game needed that dominant force in the trenches...Ponder doesn't have to have that thought in the back of his head that he's going to die every snap, and his run block and pull ability is going to make AD look even better...i'd say o-line went from one of our weakest link to one of our strongest this offseason

Yep, its almost hard to believe but we're pretty loaded on the O-line now, and sadly we're going to be cutting at least one bright young lineman come September.

Berger, Fusco, Schwartz, DeGeare, Brown, Love
They aren't all making the team and they are all pretty valuable/useful backup guys, some of them will not make it through waivers.

WE TRUST V4LB!!! HE IS THE GREATEST GUY IN OUR FOURM.
WITHOUT HIM OUR FOURM WOULDNT BE EXCITING.
HE GETS ALL THE WOMEN!!!!
HE IS NEVER WRONG!!!
WE TRIED TO VOTE FOR HIM FOR PRESIDENT BUT HE IS SO GREAT THAT HE WOULDNT RUN FOR OFFICE

We have a good chunk of change to play around with. While it is possible we could make some pickups after final cuts, I think its a lot more likely we're sitting on that money because we're going to be offering extensions to guys like Simpson, Henderson, Carr or Schwartz depending on how well they play.

"I think I was cleared the end of March," Winfield said. Still the Vikings' No. 1 cornerback heading into his age-35 season, Winfield expects to rotate between the slot and left cornerback in an effort to keep him fresh.

Vikings GM Rick Spielman acknowledged Sunday that the team is concerned with MLB Jasper Brinkley's durability.
Brinkley missed all of minicamp with a groin injury that may be related to the serious hip injury that cost him the entire 2011 season. "There's some concern there, definitely," Spielman said. "The durability is a question right now." The Vikings may want to look into a free agent such as Gary Brackett ahead of training camp. Brinkley isn't shaping up as a reliable commodity for 2012.

WE TRUST V4LB!!! HE IS THE GREATEST GUY IN OUR FOURM.
WITHOUT HIM OUR FOURM WOULDNT BE EXCITING.
HE GETS ALL THE WOMEN!!!!
HE IS NEVER WRONG!!!
WE TRIED TO VOTE FOR HIM FOR PRESIDENT BUT HE IS SO GREAT THAT HE WOULDNT RUN FOR OFFICE

Mistral Raymond is considered a "good bet" to open the season as the Vikings' starting strong safety.
He appears to have the post-spring edge on Jamarca Sanford and rookie Robert Blanton. Raymond is limited in coverage, which will be problematic in Minnesota's two-deep secondary scheme. While RCB Chris Cook's return and rookie FS Harrison Smith's addition upgraded the talent, we'll still be targeting the Vikings' 2012 pass defense for fantasy football matchup purposes.

Chris Cook - DB - Vikings

Chris Cook will open the season as the Vikings' starting right cornerback.
Cook was Minnesota's left corner early last season, with Asher Allen at RCB. If Cook can stay out of off-field trouble, he'll be squaring off with the Greg Jenningses and Brandon Marshalls of the NFC North. Calvin Johnson usually lines up on the other side of the field, but the Vikings could also let Cook shadow No. 1 receivers. He'll be their top outside cornerback this season.

WE TRUST V4LB!!! HE IS THE GREATEST GUY IN OUR FOURM.
WITHOUT HIM OUR FOURM WOULDNT BE EXCITING.
HE GETS ALL THE WOMEN!!!!
HE IS NEVER WRONG!!!
WE TRIED TO VOTE FOR HIM FOR PRESIDENT BUT HE IS SO GREAT THAT HE WOULDNT RUN FOR OFFICE

Pelissero: Vikings may look better on paper, but division is still daunting

The process of rebuilding the Minnesota Vikings might seem just a little less daunting if not for the talent elsewhere in the NFC North Division.

The Green Bay Packers are less than 17 months removed from winning Super Bowl XLV and appear set up to remain contenders for the next several years.

The Detroit Lions finally capitalized on all those high draft picks last season to end an 11-year playoff drought and only figure to get better in 2012.

The Chicago Bears might have returned to the postseason, too, if not for an injury to quarterback Jay Cutler that ushered in front-office changes but not lower expectations.

"You know the teams and what the talent level is at this division," Vikings general manager Rick Spielman told 1500 ESPN on Sunday.

"We play each other twice a year and you monitor what they do in the draft and what they added in free agency, and what you do is try to every year add and improve your roster, and I think we were able to do that this year and even with some of these young guys that we drafted last year that are going to contribute and play that you have not heard of yet.

"Hopefully, with these two past draft classes, and we'll continue to add with future classes, that'll develop our roster and be able to be right up there with the Green Bays and the Chicagos and how quickly Detroit came along."

Based on personnel alone, most scouts projected the 2011 Vikings to win six to eight games -- not go 3-13, which was enough for ownership to overhaul the structure of their personnel operation with Spielman in control as GM.

On Sunday, Spielman pointed to the Vikings' defensive backs, receivers, tight ends and offensive line as four groups that looked significantly improved at last week's minicamp than they did at the end of last season.

Still, there is little question about the standing from a personnel standpoint of a Vikings team that figures to be one of the NFL's youngest in 2012.

As one NFL personnel director put it last week, "I think Chicago will be a little bit better. It looks like they're trying to make an effort here (to win now). Detroit's obviously much improved, and Green Bay are who they are."

That leaves the Vikings fourth out of four -- but that's somewhat beside the point for a roster Spielman is in the process of overhauling after consecutive last-place finishes.

The following is a position-by-position look at the Vikings' roster, based on observations of offseason practices and conversations with coaches and scouts around the NFL. Number of players on the current roster are in parentheses.

The skinny: Ponder is the starter as long as he's healthy. Webb is the backup and could work into game plan-specific packages during the season. Rosenfels didn't exactly light it up in minicamp, but he's not on the team to play. Bethel-Thompson has some raw ability and can really fling it. There's no room for him if they want to keep a veteran mentor, though.

The skinny: Peterson is nearly six months into his rehabilitation from knee reconstruction, and coach Leslie Frazier says he's on pace to meet his goal of playing in Week 1. But it's a given Peterson will be limited in the early going, and there's no way of knowing when or if he'll be himself in 2012. Gerhart has bulked up and is in line to carry the load out of the gate. Todman's speed has impressed and solidified him atop the list of No. 3 options, although Hilliard's special-teams ability could factor. Same with D'Imperio, who has ceded starter's reps at fullback to Felton but is on all the No.1 return and coverage units.

How many they'll keep: Four to six, depending on Peterson's early-season availability and the possibility special-teams considerations could keep an extra fullback around.

The skinny: Simpson is the starting split end but is suspended the first three games. Childs is the top option to fill the void, but he's coming off a patella tendon injury and missed the bulk of offseason practices with a calf strain. That gave Arceneaux more chances and he took advantage -- though not as much as Burton, who turned heads at flanker in place of Harvin (shoulder surgery) until he came down with pneumonia. Jenkins has healed from his season-ending knee injury but could be the odd man out, with a $2.5 million base salary that's exorbitant for a backup. Aromashodu may be gone, too, but that all depends on the development of younger options. Wright has been working at flanker and in the slot.

How many they'll keep: Five or six, since Simpson won't count against the 53-man roster during his suspension.

The skinny: Rudolph is the top receiving threat, seems to have regained a half-step another year removed from a hamstring tendon avulsion and will be used all over the place. Carlson probably will see more time inline but had several memorable moments in the passing game during offseason practices. They'll be on the field together a lot. Ellison isn't a smooth athlete but can catch the ball and will be asked to do a lot of dirty work. Reisner catches everything, but Shuler's balanced skill set might give him an edge if he can stay healthy.

The skinny: Four of five starting spots are locked in -- Kalil at left tackle, Johnson at left guard, Sullivan at center and Loadholt at right tackle -- unless someone gets hurt or falls on his face in camp. Fusco is a nasty sucker and has the inside track at right guard in part because Schwartz (hip surgery) still is regaining his wind after sitting out last season. Berger, Brown and DeGeare all have played and figure to get long looks as backups along with Love, who likely will stick again as a developmental swing tackle.

The skinny: The starters are Allen, Williams, Robison and Guion, a penetrator who has earned positive reviews in his transition to full-time nose tackle. Evans is having a solid offseason, too, and figures to split time there. Ballard has been getting most of his work as the second-string base undertackle behind Williams. Griffen appears poised to get the turns as an inside nickel rusher Ballard couldn't exploit last season. Reed will get a shot there, too. Guyton hasn't shown much yet, but it's always tough to break through as a lineman until the pads go on.

The skinny: Greenway is locked in as the strongside linebacker and Henderson all but secure on the weakside. Despite missing last season (hip surgery), Brinkley entered the offseason mostly unopposed in the middle, only to suffer a groin strain in OTAs that still is bugging him. McKenzie worked there in minicamp but isn't even a good bet to make the team. Mitchell -- who has been working outside and playing all the special teams -- and Cole could get a look in camp. Dean is another special-teams mainstay, but he'll get a challenge from Elimimian and perhaps Nielsen, who for now looks stiff and tentative.

The skinny: Cook is the starting right cornerback and everything else is at least somewhat unsettled. Winfield's better in the slot, and the Vikings would prefer to play him fewer snaps as a preservation measure. However, that depends on how confident they feel in Carr or Robinson, who took more first-team reps as the offseason went on. Fellow rookie Smith is a probable starter at safety, with Raymond a good bet to start next to him. Frampton and Sanford are core special teamers. Bowman is on several special teams, too, although he's so buried on the depth chart at cornerback his spot isn't safe. Blanton has shown some encouraging signs in his transition to safety. Burton and Sherels have to earn their spots on special teams, with the former carrying more upside on defense as an outside corner.

How many they'll keep: 10 or 11.

Specialists (3)

On the roster: Chris Kluwe, Cullen Loeffler, Blair Walsh.

The skinny: Kluwe will punt. Loeffler will long snap. Walsh will get every chance to be the place-kicker, with no one else in camp because coaches want to build chemistry in the operation. The Vikings hope Wright can become their punt returner, but just catching the ball is a work in progress. Sherels at least is sure-handed. Robinson will get a look on kick returns. Jones, Taylor and Walters have worked on returns as well, and Harvin always is an option.

WE TRUST V4LB!!! HE IS THE GREATEST GUY IN OUR FOURM.
WITHOUT HIM OUR FOURM WOULDNT BE EXCITING.
HE GETS ALL THE WOMEN!!!!
HE IS NEVER WRONG!!!
WE TRIED TO VOTE FOR HIM FOR PRESIDENT BUT HE IS SO GREAT THAT HE WOULDNT RUN FOR OFFICE

Tom Pelissero of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities believes it's "a given" that the Vikings will limit Adrian Peterson's (ACL, MCL, meniscus surgery) early-season workload if he's available for Week 1.
Peterson's outlook does look good for Opening Day -- provided no training-camp setbacks -- but the Vikings' top beat writer believes Toby Gerhart is "in line to carry the load out of the gate." It sounds like Peterson's role could grow on a weekly basis if he shows his explosion and cutting ability are all the way back. There's also a chance that Peterson takes a while to rediscover his old burst. We're anxious to see him on the field in preseason games.

Christian Ponder said the game has "really slowed down" for him this offseason.
Ponder is now in his second NFL season and has had the full offseason to work in Bill Musgrave's offense. He also has a new left tackle in Ryan Kalil and will have a new deep threat in Week 4 when Jerome Simpson comes off suspension. There's some QB2 appeal here, especially if the Vikings can't lean on Adrian Peterson (knee) early in the season.

WE TRUST V4LB!!! HE IS THE GREATEST GUY IN OUR FOURM.
WITHOUT HIM OUR FOURM WOULDNT BE EXCITING.
HE GETS ALL THE WOMEN!!!!
HE IS NEVER WRONG!!!
WE TRIED TO VOTE FOR HIM FOR PRESIDENT BUT HE IS SO GREAT THAT HE WOULDNT RUN FOR OFFICE

Fast, but can Vikings' Taylor learn fast enough?
Nick Taylor played college basketball, not football, and is only 5-9 and 165 pounds, but his speed intrigues the Vikings.

Nick Taylor relied heavily on the crossover at Florida International.

As point guard, he used the move to quickly maneuver directions and increase separation from defenders. Now Taylor is attempting to master a new type of crossover -- from college basketball point guard to NFL cornerback.

"I take it day by day, step by step," Taylor said at the Vikings minicamp last week. "It's been fun. I try to soak in as much as I can and improve every practice."

Graduation brought uncertainty for Taylor two years ago. After three years of basketball with the Panthers, where he averaged only 1.7 points and 1.8 assists per game after walking on, professional basketball wasn't an option.

That left Taylor with two choices: a career in sports management, the field in which he got a bachelor's degree; or pursuit of a career in semi-professional basketball.

He chose neither.

Instead, he tried out for several Canadian Football League teams before an opportunity to play with the Fort Lauderdale Barracudas of the Stars Football League presented itself in 2011.

"I've wanted to get back to football for a long time," said Taylor, who played high school football at Norland, Fla. "When I got the opportunity to play, I was thankful."

Despite three interceptions in four games and an All-Star nod, Taylor -- who is undersized at 5-9 and 165 pounds -- received little interest from NFL teams until his workout at FIU's March Pro Day on March 15. His 4.27 and 4.33 times in the 40-yard dash turned heads.

The next morning, the Vikings scheduled a private workout, and by nightfall Taylor had a three-year, nonguaranteed contract.

Until then, his claim to fame had been winning $25,000 in an NBA2K video game tournament in Las Vegas last year.

"I think they saw a lot more potential in me than just my speed," he said. "I played some receiver and other positions. They said they liked my approach. Even when I made some mistakes, I never hung my head. I got back out there and made up for it."

Coming into the Vikings' organized training activities, Taylor had plenty to work on: footwork, technique, terminology and familiarizing himself with the defensive playbook. But Taylor, 24, said the learning curve wasn't too steep because he already possessed the basics from playing in the Stars Football League.

"I told him to be patient, execute the techniques, don't worry about the big picture, understand your job first and the more you understand what you do, the more you understand what we're asking you to do," Woods said.

And that level of understanding comes with time. Through minicamp, Woods continued working with Taylor on developing the proper technique and learning the NFL language before training camp.

"He's been instrumental in my development," Taylor said. "Learning from some of the veterans like Antoine [Winfield] has helped me tremendously, too. I watch how they handle certain situations and approach practice and try to pick up on their habits."

Taylor faces long odds when the Vikings open training camp in Mankato next month. He'll be battling time. Taylor has only so many days to get up to speed with the other corners in order to grab a coveted spot on the 53-man roster.

Woods said there's one thing that rests in Taylor's favor: He comes to the Vikings carrying a blank slate.

"He's raw. Doesn't have many of the bad habits some guys pick up through college or other places, which is beneficial," Woods said. "Our staff can mold him into the type of defensive back that fits our schemes, our style of defense."

WE TRUST V4LB!!! HE IS THE GREATEST GUY IN OUR FOURM.
WITHOUT HIM OUR FOURM WOULDNT BE EXCITING.
HE GETS ALL THE WOMEN!!!!
HE IS NEVER WRONG!!!
WE TRIED TO VOTE FOR HIM FOR PRESIDENT BUT HE IS SO GREAT THAT HE WOULDNT RUN FOR OFFICE